By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Calabar-Cross River State Government has secured a $5million facility from the World Bank for community development projects in the state.

General Manager of the state Community and Social Development Agency, Mr. Victor Ovat, who disclosed this at an interaction, yesterday, said already, there are 180 ongoing micro projects in 13 local government areas of the state.

Mr. Ovat flanked by Mr. Fidelis Undie, Finance and Administration Manager, explained that the programme was designed to tackle poverty in the communities and bring   development to the rural dwellers.

He said that the scheme was an interventionist one, with a lifespan of five years, adding that the Federal Government secured the loan on behalf of the state.

The General Manager said so far, the scheme had reduced poverty in the rural areas and touched different sectors such as education, environment, transportation, health, water scheme, socio economy and rural electrifications.

He noted that the 180 projects scattered across 13 local government areas of the state had gulped over N473 million while the sum of about N256 million was still outstanding, pointing out 60 of the projects had been completed while work had reached advanced stage.